Captain America #256 (1981)

Did your creative team leave in a hurry because it couldn’t stand Marvel’s editorial policies? Then call Bill Mantlo for a quick fill-in!

There are many rumors about why Stern and Byrne left Captain America so abruptly. Ed in Chief Jim Shooter issued a mandate that all stories begin and end in one issue, but the creative team had already begun a three-parter they were proud of. Marvel changed its royalties policies. Stern had planned to leave anyway, and Byrne really just wanted to work with him. Whatever the reason, it’s a shame they couldn’t work out their differences because this issue is…Not good. And a not good issue after one of the best, A+ runs in Marvel history, feels really, really bad. It’s not really, really bad, it’s just not really, really good—which is a big comedown.

Anyway, Captain America fights a druid in a castle. Art is good. And at least it picks up right where #254 left off (#255 was an origin recap), with Captain America still in England after taking down Baron Blood.

Creators: Bill Mantlo and Gene Colan
Grade: C
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